OLYPlusSelectPlusSportsOlympics '08: One-of-a-Kind VenuesOlympics '08: One-of-a-Kind VenuesThe Associated PressThe Chinese have built some of the most unique architecture to ever serve as an Olympic venue. Associated Press reporter Jason Bronis takes a tour. (Aug. 5)BEIJING - A tour of Olympic venues.Suggested caption: Beijing hosts have created some of the most visually interesting and unusual Olympic venues ever seen. Join AP reporter Jason Bronis for a look at some of the sights the world will be talking about.((STANDUP))((SUPER: Jason Bronis/Beijing))'Hello again from Beijing's Olympic Green, the centerpiece of the Summer Games, where it's just a short walk from the National Aquatics Center ... to National Stadium, but the best view of the Olympic venues, is from up above.((TRACK)) ((VO of APTN aerials.)) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS TOOK TO THE AIR OVER THE CHINESE CAPITAL.BUT BEFORE WE COULD SHOW YOU THESE UNIQUE PICTURES, WE HAD TO SHOW THEM TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, WHO VETTED THE FOOTAGE.FROM ABOVE, NATIONAL STADIUM IS PROMINENT, AND IT'S CLEAR WHY THEY CALL IT 'THE BIRD'S NEST.'THE STADIUM SEATS 91-THOUSAND AND TOOK FIVE YEARS TO BUILD.IT WILL HOST THE OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONIES, ALONG WITH TRACK AND FIELD AND FOOTBALL EVENTS.((TRACK)) ((VO of APTN aerials.)) GYMNASTIC EVENTS WILL HEADLINE THE NATIONAL INDOOR STADIUM.THIS 20-THOUSAND SEAT VENUE IS MODELED AFTER A TRADITIONAL CHINESE FOLDING FAN.((TRACK)) ((VO of APTN aerials.)) SOME OF THE MOST EXCITING COMPETITIONS DURING THIS SUMMER GAMES WILL TAKE PLACE INSIDE THE NATIONAL AQUATICS CENTER.THE 'WATER CUBE' IS ALSO ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING VENUES.THE MEMBRANE PANELS THAT MAKE UP ITS EXTERIOR ARE JUST ONE OF A NUMBER OF SPACE-AGE FEAURES THAT WILL MAKE THIS BUILDING AN ICON OF THESE GAMES.THE OLYMPIC GREEN IS ALSO HOME TO THE FENCING HALL, THE ARCHERY FIELD, AND THE HOCKEY STADIUM.((TRACK)) ((VO of APTN aerials.)) ABOUT 1-POINT-FIVE KILOMETERS FROM THE GREEN IS THE OLYMPIC SPORTS CENTER COMPLEX, HOME TO THE TENNIS, HANDBALL, AND MODERN PENTATHLON VENUES.((STANDUP))((SUPER: Jason Bronis/Beijing))'Most other events are being held in facilities around Beijing. But, other Chinese cities will play a role in these games. Football preliminaries will be held in Shanghai. Sailing events will be held in the ___ ___, The Associated Press.
